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A Symbol of an Era
The Disneyland culture has changed a lot in the last ten years. Arthur's was a symbol of what that culture still was ten years ago, and his passing was one of the signs that a new era was coming. Back then, Disneyland was still pretty much a theme park staffed by a large family of people who knew each other. The people who ran the park were almost all people who had come to work for the park as teenagers and stayed to rise through the ranks. It was easy for Arthur to know them and for them to know Arthur.

So much changed. Turnover ensured a lack of continuity among the cast culture. Managers from other parts of the corporation and other companies came in to replace retiring or reassigned old-schoolers. Disneyland was transformed into a full Resort. The Main Street Electrical Parade went away for a while and then "returned" to Disney's California Adventure park. Even the strollers have changed.

Would Arthur still be respected the same way? I sure hope so, but I know it is a different culture, a larger operation than it was in Arthur's day.

There's plenty that hasn't changed, though, including the truth that it takes people to make the Disneyland show what it is.

The Brick
Many years after his passing, a lot of us chipped in and sponsored a brick in honor of Arthur Holmson. Every day that I walk over those bricks, I find C32 170. I pause to stare at it and remember. And smile.

Your Turn
Do you have memories of Arthur? Maybe you've just heard tales about him you want to pass along.

Do you have a brick and want to explain the story behind it?

Click here to discuss these questions and this article on the LaughingPlace.com Discussion Boards

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-- Ken Pellman

-- Posted May 10, 2002